The Maharashtra Legislative Council extended the deadline for its privileges committee to report on comedian Kunal Kamra and Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sushma Andhare. This follows a notice by BJP MLC Pravin Darekar regarding Kamra's parody song and Andhare's support, both allegedly insulting Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde
Comedian Kunal Kamra. File pic.
The Maharashtra Legislative Council on Friday passed a motion allowing the privileges committee to submit its report on comedian Kunal Kamra by the final day of the state legislature's next session. The report pertains to remarks Kamra made against Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, reported news agency PTI.
BJP MLC Prasad Lad, who chairs the committee, moved the motion in the House, seeking an extension until the last day of the session to submit the report concerning both Kamra and Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sushma Andhare. BJP MLC Pravin Darekar had initiated a breach of privilege notice against Kamra during the state legislature's Budget session for his comments targeting Eknath Shinde, who heads the ruling Shiv Sena.
The notice stated that Kamra's parody song contained insulting references aimed at Shinde. It further alleged that Andhare had supported Kamra and used objectionable language, which constituted contempt of the legislature.
According to PTI, Legislative Council Chairman Ram Shinde had forwarded the breach of privilege notice to the committee in June. Both Kamra and Andhare were also issued show-cause notices, but these could not be delivered due to incorrect addresses.
During his performance at the Habitat Comedy Club, located at the Unicontinental hotel in Mumbai's Khar area, Kamra had referred to Shinde as a 'traitor' for splitting the Shiv Sena, then led by Uddhav Thackeray, in 2022. The parody was a modified version of a Hindi song from the movie 'Dil Toh Pagal Hai,' used to describe Shinde's 2022 rebellion against Uddhav.
Meanwhile, stung by the satire, Shiv Sena functionary Rahul Kanal and 11 others ransacked the venue at a Mumbai hotel where Kamra had performed in March this year. Unfazed by the violence, Kamra refused to apologise and publicly criticised the vandalism of the venue where the comedy show was recorded, reported PTI.
Following his remarks, Kamra was booked by the Khar police based on a complaint lodged by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel, alleging he made defamatory remarks against the Deputy Chief Minister.
According to PTI, Kamra had submitted to the Madras High Court that he relocated to Tamil Nadu from Mumbai in 2021 and has been 'ordinarily a resident of this State since then,' expressing fears of arrest by Mumbai Police.
The Madras High Court had extended the interim anticipatory bail granted to Kamra until April 17. He has not appeared before the Mumbai Police, which had summoned him on two occasions.
(With inputs from PTI)
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